Journalists, admirers pay final respects to Ekushey Padak-winning poet Al Mujahidi at Press Club janaza. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, June 20, 2026 (BSS) - The third namaz-e-janaza of Ekushey Padak-winning poet, valiant freedom fighter and veteran journalist Al Mujahidi was held at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) in the capital today.

The funeral prayer was held on the press club premises at around 12:12 pm, where journalists, cultural personalities and admirers gathered to pay their final respects to the noted poet and literary figure.

Jatiya Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Md Shahidul Islam, Acting General Secretary Md Didarul Alam Didar, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Vice-President AKM Mohsin, Executive Member Shahin Hasnat and other leaders of the journalists' organizations were present.

Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, Jugantor Editor and former DUJ President poet Abdul Hai Shikder and former BFUJ President M Abdullah also attended the janaza.

Following the funeral prayer, various organisations, including the Jatiya Press Club, BFUJ, DUJ, Tangail District Journalists Association and Jatiya Kabita Parishad, paid tribute to the poet by placing wreaths.

Earlier in the day, Al Mujahidi's body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar, where people from all walks of life, including admirers, colleagues and well-wishers, paid their last respects.

Al Mujahidi passed away at 1:40 pm on Friday while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in the capital. He was 85.

He had been suffering from various age-related complications for a long time.

He is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, grandchildren, and a host of admirers.

Born on June 19, 1940, in Tangail, Al Mujahidi served as the literary editor of the daily Ittefaq for more than three decades and made significant contributions to Bangladesh's literary and journalistic spheres.

The state-recognised Ekushey Padak recipient authored more than 50 books, including over 20 volumes of poetry. 

In addition to poetry, he wrote novels, short stories and children's literature, earning widespread acclaim for his contribution to Bengali literature.